Our research programs focus on fundamental principles of tumor immunology that determine how immune responses against cancer are initiated, maintained, and eventually evaded. Our lab develops novel frameworks to overcome two formidable obstacles to effective immunotherapy in cancer patients: the lack of potent neoantigens (immune targets) and the immune suppression of tumors by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). To overcome these limitations in cancer patients, we pioneered an immunization strategy to expose neoantigens in aggressive cancers (tumor vaccines) and novel genetic approaches to resolving immunosuppression barriers through genetic reprogramming of TAMs to become tumoricidal (innate immuno-oncology).
Our research integrates various experimental approaches in tumor cell biology, including immunology, high throughput genetic screens, mouse modeling, and advanced genomic tools to study the complex crosstalk between cancer cells and their environment during tumor progression.
MEMBERS
Nir Ben Chetrit, Ph.D.
Principle Investigator